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Minnie's Mincemeat Pie

by Dale T. Phillips

About the Author: Dale T. Phillips published five novels, over sixty short stories, nine books of story collections, poetry, and non-fiction. He took writing seminars from Stephen King in college, appeared on stage, television, and in an independent feature film, and competed on Jeopardy. He also co-wrote The Nine, a short political satire film. He has traveled to all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, and throughout Europe.

“I don’t care what you say,” said Viola. “It’s just not fair.”

Gretchen rolled her eyes. “Don’t raise such a fuss, Vi. It’s just a ribbon, after all. And it’s only one event.”

Viola’s mouth pursed in on itself until it almost disappeared. “It’s the principle of the thing. It’s simply not possible to win every damned year like that, as if it was automatic or something.”

Viola rarely swore, so Gretchen knew the kettle was truly on the boil. “You won four blue ribbons for other pies. What’s so special about that one?”

“I’d have had a sweep of the entire pie category. But she stole it from me. Again.” Viola swiped away a tear. “And mincemeat was my Nana’s recipe. She won the Ohio State Fair with it. The State Fair. Of course, here’s different, but I’ve been making it to her recipe since I was old enough to reach the top of the stove. Yet every year, I have to see Minnie preening with her Blue-Ribbon Maine Mincemeat.”

“Well, it does sell pretty well, I hear.”

“That’s another thing,” Viola’s nostrils flared. “She does it for money, like some prostitute or something. They shouldn’t allow her to enter with the rest of us. Maybe she pays the judges, like she gets paid, that’s how she does it.”

“It’s new people every year.”

“It’s not right. I won’t let it happen again.”

Gretchen frowned. “What are you going to do?”

Viola nodded, as if confirming something to herself. “I’ll get that recipe if it’s the last thing I do.”

Viola entered, her gaze darting around the interior of the house, as if trying to pick up clues. She’d never been in Minnie’s home before, and why would she? The old bat had to be in her seventies, not a comfortable fortyish like Viola. And whenever I see her around town, all the woman can talk about is her stupid one-pie business.

“Would you like some tea?”

Viola forced a smile. “Yes, that would be lovely.”

“Come sit in the parlor while I put the kettle on.”

Viola shook her head. No one said parlor anymore, except old farts like Minnie. Why couldn’t ancient crones like her just step aside and let someone younger take over?

Viola did a double take at the deer head staring down from the wall over the fireplace.

Minnie smiled. “That was my first kill. My father took me out. I was seventeen.”

Dear Lord, who would put some atrocious thing like that in their living room? Excuse me, parlor. It’s sickening. The woman is nuttier than a pecan pie.

“I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” Minnie left the room.

Viola nodded. That was another thing. The things she came out with, those stupid sayings. Did all old people talk like that? If I ever get that way, I hope somebody shoots me first. She looked around the room. Fireplace, with a set of brass-colored tools: a shovel, a poker, a little broom thingie. Framed photographs and articles on the mantel. Some kind of lacey snowflakes on each chair and the weird little sofa, doilies on the coffee table and lamp tables, coasters at strategic locations. A sort of wall unit holding shelves of little porcelain figurines and knickknacks. A Grandfather clock, of course. No television, no magazines. Surprised the old biddy doesn’t have twelve cats. But the thing that really caught the eye was the display of blue ribbons, dozens of them, in rows. Viola’s mouth turned down at the corners as she clenched her hands.

Easy now. Viola breathed deeply and opened her hands again. She picked up one of the lacy things and studied it.

This story appears in our AUG 2017 Issue(Visit Amazon for a print version)

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Reader Discussion

27

Aug

Great story, with some really psycho elements. I had fun reading it!

By JM Taylor

27

Aug

Nicely written with my favorite subject matter!

By Terry Sharp

27

Aug

This was well written and good and creepy :)

By Jennifer Kunz

27

Aug

Fun story from beginning to end. Great job.

By Robert Petyo

28

Aug

The thing about swearing twice reminded me of that Brady Bunch episode where one of the kids used the word "stinker" and Mrs. Brady gave a stern look and said, "You know I don't like that word."

By Todd Wells

28

Aug

Dear me! How very clever! I liked the story! Nice twist and turns to keep me reading.

By Nina Ritter

30

Aug

This story kept me entranced from beginning to end. My "cup of tea." However, the ending....a little soft. I guess I wanted the old lady to go out with more of a bang! But, a great story.

By Frances Dunn

27

Sep

Great story - well-written, with a lot of interesting details. I can hear the old lady telling her story about the origin of the name "mincemeat pie." I like the increasing tension - it made me read to the end. The story reminded me of the story "The Landlady" by Roald Dahl. I'm looking forward to read more stories by this author! Additionally, as an aspiring mystery writer, I learned a lot from the master!